Acadia National Park reopened at full strength this week

BAR HARBOR, Maine – Acadia National Park says it is running at full strength following the end of the federal government shutdown over the weekend.

Many of the employees were furloughed during what became the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The Portland Press Herald reports park employees were back at work Monday, and officials thanked community members and local governments who helped out the park during the lapse in appropriations.

During the shutdown, which began Dec. 22, the park remained open to the public, but public restrooms were unavailable and there was no trash collection. Friends of Acadia and the National Park Service reached an agreement during the shutdown that allowed volunteers to help maintain park trails.

A handful of rangers and essential employees worked without pay.